25 October 2007 Edition

"Brutal and savage" Monaghan murder condemned by Sinn Féin

Paul Quinn

Sinn Féin has condemned the murder of a young man in County Monaghan in the early hours of Saturday morning 20 October, and leading members of the party have met with police on both sides of the border in relation to the death of Paul Quinn who was from Cullyhanna in South Armagh. Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, Six County Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, the party’s Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Newry/Armagh MP Conor Murphy condemned the “brutal and savage” murder of Paul Quinn in Oram, County Monaghan and they called on “anyone with any information to make it immediately available to either the PSNI or An Garda Síochána”.Gerry Adams also extended sympathy to the Quinn family and said, “Those responsible for this dreadful killing must be brought to justice.”Speaking at Stormont on Monday Gerry Adams said:“We are all deeply shocked at this appalling murder. Our sympathy is with the family of Paul Quinn. The criminals responsible for this dreadful killing must be brought to justice.

No republican involvementCountering claims that republicans were involved in the killing Adams said:“I do not believe that there was any republican involvement in this murder. This murder is in our view linked to fuel smuggling involving criminals. But let me repeat anyone with information has a duty to bring that information forward to the Garda or the PSNI.”Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said he was “deeply shocked” at the murder which occurred in his constituency. Speaking on Sunday, 21 October Ó Caoláin said: “I am deeply shocked at the brutality of last night’s murder of the young man and extend my deepest sympathies to his family. Whatever circumstances are behind the attack there can be no justification for this type of violence.“I strongly condemn the attack which took place in my own constituency and urge that anyone with information relating to the murder go to the gardaí immediately. Such an attack in a remote area like Oram will cause shockwaves throughout the whole community. I also extend my sympathies and support to the people of the area.”Also speaking on Sunday Sinn Féin Newry/Armagh MP Conor Murphy said:“The local community are shocked at this tragic death and I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the family.“There are wild and baseless allegations being made. However I do not believe that there is any republican involvement in this murder. “Anyone with information that can assist the family should come forward to the gardaí or PSNI immediately.”

Death threatsMeanwhile, it has emerged that death threats had been issued against a south Armagh man in the wake of Paul Quinn’s murder.Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy said a “criminal gang” had issued the threats against the man, who was warned of the threat by the PSNI on Monday. The Newry/Armagh MP claimed the threats were the result of rumours about the 21-year-old’s murder.Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister in the North Martin McGuinness has met with Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy and PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde in relation to the investigation into the Quinn murder while Cavan/Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and local Sinn Féin Councillor Jackie Crowe have held a meeting with the local Garda Superintendent in Castleblaney, County Monaghan.Despite claims of republican involvement in the attack at none of these meetings did members of the gardaí or PSNI raise the issue of republican involvement.